It's the Pool of Death XV! Andy Howell picks his composite team made up of players from 2015 group rivals Wales, England and Australia

With just 14 months to go before three of the world's biggest sides compete for two World Cup qualifying places - no disrespect to Fiji - our man stirs up the debate with something of a novel selection

When the Rugby World Cup begins in 14 months time, one pool will command the bulk of the attention...the so-called pool of death which features Wales, hosts England, and Australia.

On current form, Wales are a tad behind the other two in the pecking order when it comes to choosing which two out of the three - with no disrespect to Fiji - will progress to the knockout stages.

But in the spirit of a typical rugby pub debate, which players from the three sides are going to be the kingpins? Who would make a composite Wales-England-Australia team?

There is clearly no wrong and right choice, clearly, this question could occupy the minds of pundits for hours on end.

All the same, I've had a stab at picking the 15 names I believe would make it if a coach was given carte blanche to choose from each side.

Cast your eye at the side and the reasons why I've gone for these guys...and of course, if you disagree, send us your thoughts.

The burning issues? Well, come the World Cup, I’d expect to see the likes of Will Genia and Quade Cooper wearing numbers nine and 10 for Australia despite the ability of the blokes who have replaced them, Nic White and the talented Bernard Foley.

Even though Foley has guided New South Wales to the top of the Super 15 campaign at the end of the regular season, I can’t look past Cooper as my No.10 in a composite team drawn up from Wales, Australia and England.

Wales are still undecided over who is their best No.10 with Rhys Priestland, Dan Biggar and James Hook having all worn the jersey in the last 12 months while Owen Farrell doesn’t do it for me.

If you want a goal-kicking outside-half fair enough but I want X-factor and you’ve got it in Cooper, who was branded Public Enemy No.1 by the New Zealand press during the last World Cup.

Genia and Cooper certainly provide that while a composite team would be spoilt for choice at centre.

In my book it comes down to finding the right combination. If I was picking on raw power it would be Jamie Roberts and England’s Manu Tuilagi or Australia’s import from Fiji. Tevita Kuridrani.

But I’d prefer to have a footballer at inside-centre, which means one of Australia duo Christian Leali’ifano or Matt Toomua. In the end I went for Leali’ifano, believing he’d form a wonder midfield partnership with Cooper and Jonathan Davies at outside-centre.

Israel Folau could be the only choice at full-back, resulting in goal-kicking colossus Leigh Halfpenny moving to the wing. On form, I’d have Alex Cuthbert on the other, believing he will continue his astonishing improvement in the months to come.

Alex Corbisiero was missed by England last season after being afflicted by injury but proved with the Lions in Australia a year ago what a good player he is.

Gethin Jenkins has been a legend at loose-head, particularly with his destructive work in the loose, but will be another year older come the World Cup.

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